Spreading good news in Africa

SYDNEY man Richard Turner is proud to advertise his passion for Africa.

The Fairfax advertising group account manager is travelling to Malawi to share his expertise with one of the country's daily newspapers, The Guardian.

Mr Turner was named Fairfax Media's top salesperson for the year for 2007 and will use his $10,000 travel and study prize to help out in the south-east African nation.

He first heard about the newspaper while travelling in Africa and a friend from Malawi helped him get in touch.

Next month he will spend two weeks in

Kuti, which is a 90-minute drive from Malawi's capital, Lilongwe, located in the central part

of the country.

As well as working with the newspaper, Mr Turner will work at an orphanage. He will also help a school develop a recreational program for its students, including teaching them how to play soccer.

A community volunteer will be part of Mr Turner's sessions so that locals will be able to continue the work after he returns to Australia.

At The Guardian, Mr Turner will inspect day-to-day operations and conduct a workshop with salespeople about the role of newspapers in Australia as well as share sales techniques.

Mr Turner has also received a helping hand from his Fairfax Media colleagues - he has eight boxes of donated toys to give to children at the orphanage; the cost of shipping has also been donated.

Harvey Norman staff have also helped out, donating money and toys.

Landlocked Malawi is one of the world's most densely populated and least developed countries where the average life expectancy is just 43 years.